Faith... The Final Frontier

Faith... the final frontier. Life is about the voyage we embark upon from the moment of our birth. We grow and learn first hand from our parents how to navigate through such things as potty training, crawling, standing up, and taking our first steps into the unknown world outside of our family solar system. Our father and mother were the sun and moon of our early years and our siblings were like stars to look to for direction as the elder ventured out to make their way out in the universe. The younger took great fascination in seeing what markers would he left for them to follow.
In the long and short of it we all succeed or fail and leave a legacy for our own children to follow; but the one thing that remains constant is the endless possibilities of faith. A son can no more become his father as a sibling become another sibling; it all comes down to choice, change and forgiveness. When polar opposites collide, there can be no peace without compromise, no healing without letting go. And so all that is left is a willingness to put away the stubbornness that creates conflict and allow an open heart to reveal an endless supply of love that comes from a higher power. If one cannot see beyond those fixed points left by the legacy of parents, family and earthly desires, then all hope is lost. If one can allow for a simple prayer to break through the cloud filled skies of deceit that the world manufacturers to hide the truth, then there is hope. God bless you all. Amen

To That Someone

It is funny how things tend to come to me late at night. Perhaps this is when I am most vulnerable to suggestion or that I am more in touch with the heart of the matter; my writer's heart I hope this piece brings perspective and food for thought to you who are reading this today. Whether you are searching for inspiration or simply surfing to see what is new out in the world. Whatever the case may me, know that there is hope for us all and that the world has so much more good to see and hear than what some evil forces would have us believe. Go with the goodness in your heart and "pay no attention to that voice behind the curtain." See what is in your heart and know that it is good. God bless. And so, here are a few words to brighten your day. For that someone...

To that special person out there: I don't want to hurt you, burden you or drag you down. My spirit would always strive to lift you up, hold you close and simply love you for who you are. Sounds like a philosophy everyone should follow. What a better place this world would be... If only.
And yet, there will be days when I know that my resolve may falter, that perhaps I've grown tired and just need space to re-gain perspective. Call it my cave, but do not mistake it for not caring or not needing a shoulder to lean upon. No, it is then that all the burden of my life just needs a little sharing and time to grow beyond the scope of hopelessness we all sometimes feel. It is then when we truly come together as one. Amen

Oscar, Oscar, Read all about it!

Hey folks, just a thought: I did not get to watch the Oscars last night but one thing stands clear; Will Smith actually thought he could take on the NFL and still be in the running for an Academy Award.
Clint Eastwood was reported to have commented that it was not about racism that fueled Smith not being nominated, but about the subject matter of criticizing an icon of Americana. Get over yourself Mr. Smith and get back on your horse and continue to do what you do best; play other people.
Yes, football is a violent sport, people get hurt and there are long term consequences for choosing to step out on the field week after week and get the crap kicked out of you. I do not recall seeing anyone put a weapon to Peyton Manning's head and forcing him to create a painfully tough retirement some day. Oh, and tell me Jim McMahon did not realize he might have to suffer the consequences of his actions for choosing to be a blocking dummy for 300 plus pound linemen in an extremely physical and tortuous sport. There is only so much that padding and helmets can do to protect the human frame from harm.
Football is the American form of the gladiatorial epoch where a thumbs up or down is as harmless or damaging as a Siskel and Ebert movie review or a doctor's prognosis for future health consequences. God Bless.

No Name, Just Lonely

Good morning
Good afternoon
Good night
Goodbye
I love you
Sounds so contrived
But you can try
To make it better
When your heart beats faster
Every time a door closes
A window opens
Like a letter
A tail wags
A boy smiles
A man hugs you back
A life fades in the distance
A future waits
In a fog of resistance
But God knows I tried
And that's all that matters.

No name
Because I’m anybody
And nobody
All at the same time
No more anger
No more tears
Like so many
I’m just lonely.

Life gathers
All our failures
Piles them up like empty favors
And promises to do better
But it gives few answers
When a broken heart shatters
And all you have are pieces
To remember
Good mornings
Good afternoons
Good nights
And pleasant dreams.
No name,
Just lonely.

No name
Because I’m anybody
And nobody
All at the same time
No more anger
No more tears
Like so many
I’m just lonely.

One more time
Second chances
It’s all we ask
What we live for
To get it right
When all went wrong
Now I’m nobody
Just lonely.

No name
Because I’m anybody
And nobody
All at the same time
No more anger
No more tears
Like so many
I’m just lonely.

D.A. Wittler ‘16

Bright Stars and Burned Bridges

Late nights like this one
Sometimes cause me to reminisce
About camp fires and bright stars
Under canopy of heaven
But tonight I'm regretting
All the times I was forgetting
To hold you tight in my arms
So now I am staring down
At these old work shoes
But I would rather be sleeping
Facing up to those ancient beacons
Than sitting here singing the blues.

Bright stars are calling
Like memories will do
But love and heart ache
Recall burned bridges
Nights are lonely without you.

As winter progresses
Weather so bitter
Cold creeps in under the covers
Waking up was so much better
When warmth was by my side
But life is about dealing
Without some things sometimes
And I know you have moved on
But I still get the feeling
If I just close my eyes
That it was all just a bad dream
And we can start over
At days end I hope it's true
Those bright stars will reappear
But in reality I know
At dawn
There's only burned bridges.

Bright stars are calling
Like memories will do
But love and heart ache
Recall burned bridges
Nights are lonely without you.

D.A. Wittler 2016

Where I Need To Be

Something new to share out there. It's what happens when you work nights and the day won't leave your creative side alone. Enjoy.
Witt

In a dream
I saw a wooded place
Perfect space
Where I needed to be
And there was a gentle sound
Flowing from a stream
A spirit came
To sit with me for a while
But all I could see
Reflected there in water
Was my own pain
Silent shame.

When I get lonely
Here in this quiet space
No one to care
No one to share a moment
And I wonder if it was all worth it
Losing you
Like being torn from a dream
A silent scream
Still echoes in my brain
From yesterday
When I went crazy
When I got carried away
And could not say how I was feeling
You came along
Helped me write this song
Told me not to worry
“It will be alright”
You said
“Give it another go
and know,
that I will love you forever.”

These are not just words I say
When I pray
It is a way of life
Through good and bad
Storm and strife
It will be alright no matter
How long the night drags on
There will be a dawn
To end all heartache
And the sun will shine again
We will be where we need to be
Amen.

Life In Review

In these final days and hours of another year, I sit putting past issues in perspective. Like a nightmare realm I can see them but the feelings have become a dull series of hunger pangs in the pit of my stomach. So many missed opportunities, so many times I failed to recognize my own stupidity and let love pass away as golden treasure lost at sea in a storm of self pity. But faith says something more as these are but times and trials meant to strengthen, not destroy. Life affords many paths and byways to lead us to the truth if we are open to them. And like many who came before us; failure, pride, and passion are all mere factors in a grand equation. Here now, I share my thoughts that until now were but obscure visions of a seemingly troubled pastlife. As I have found, they are what built me up like steel in a human tower of humility before an awesome God who always forgives and leads us to his heavenly bounty. You will note the overtones to Simon and Garfunkles "Sound of Silence" in which this post is dedicated. Take care and have a blessed Christmas and happiest of New Years! Witt


Silent Shadow

No greeting here in shadow
Time for me is short and shallow
No cause more important than my own
To ease the pain in silence grown
From years ago where my father labored
Is revealed
In echoes from my childhood.

In reality I strode alone
On cold and wet cobblestone
After a long night of drinking
Aftermath in a haze got me thinking
Why abuse a youthful life?
This storm and strife
Haunts me like a dream from yesterday.

And in morning light it came
Forgiveness in a flurry, a savior's name
But I could not see past the cold and wind
As I turned my face to hide in shame
Trying to forget what I had done
Play the game
In camouflage tomorrow.

So I sat before the voice of reason
Swallowed hard my act of self treason
Committed in smoke and shadow
Along with comrades who follow
Like sheep before the shearing
In deceit
We remained in shadow.

And today I kneel in search of grace
A father's love, a kind embrace
Sharing a moment like a treasure
Only in a reserved manner
In covert overtones
Our disgrace
In silent shadow.

- D.A. Wittler 15'